Wakey wakey cupcakey!! I was actually going in to take a picture of him sleeping. By the time the flash went off this is what I got!
Playing in the car at Playground World
Little LeBron James! Throw the Hamma Down!!
Dominic & Ryann playing together
At the Lake Erie Nature & Science center
"Oh cool! Leaves!"
"I'll take this one..."
Quite awhile ago I had discovered something with Dominic that surprised me. He started whining and quite often. I thought to myself how did he learn this? Brooke and I don't walk around our house whining so where would he have learned this oh so fun trait? Made me think if whining is something we're born with. His whining although at times annoying has been much more tolerable lately. This whole experience that Bella has gone through has really put being Dominic's Dad in perspective. No matter how many times he cries at night or how many fits he throws I'll gladly deal with it than have to go through what my niece, Rachel, has to deal with these days. I'm so proud of her for her outlook throughout this last week. I don't think I would be as strong if my little boy was laid up in the hospital going through the surgeries and treatments that Bella has been through. Whining has a whole new sound now and it's music to my ears...well maybe not great music but it's not awful. Thanksgiving
When I was growing up before we ate our Thanksgiving meal we would go around the table and say what we're thankful for. With that in mind and being the eve before Thanksgiving I figure no other time would be more appropriate to list what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. I'll have to edit my list a bit or this blog post would be ridiculously long as I am very blessed with a fortunate life.
I am thankful I have a job and can provide for my Family, for the roof over our heads, for my Parents, for the delicious Thanksgiving meal prepared by my Mother-in-Law, Wife, and Oma, for my Siblings, for my In-Laws, for the Buckeyes going to the Rose Bowl and beating Michigan, for my Friends, for Bella's latest prognosis and positive outlook, for my I-Phone, for my health & my Families health, and most importantly I am thankful for my beautiful Wife Brooke and Son Dominic. Without them in my life I would be lost.
Browns
I had said last week that if Brady Quinn didn't do well against an equally sub-par team like the Lions then he was most likely not the Browns QB of the future. Quinn was 21 of 33 for 304 yards and 4 TD passes with a QB rating of 133.1. To put Quinn's 4 TD's in perspective the Browns through their first 9 games scored only 5 Offensive TD's. In one game he nearly matched the total Offensive output for 9 games! His performance tells me if the Browns can put together a good team around him that Quinn can probably lead the Browns and be the QB we all need him to be. We're likely going to get a high first round draft pick and I hope we use it wisely. We still need to get rid of Mangini though. My hopes for the rest of this season are to be competitive but not necessarily win unless it means ruining another teams chances of making the playoffs. 
Here are a few links as well:
Neuroblastoma:
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Neuroblastoma
Rainbow Babies:
http://www.uhhospitals.org/Default.aspx?alias=www.uhhospitals.org/rainbowchildren
TJ, all dressed up for St. Patrick's Day
Baby Sadie-seriously, how could you resist those eyes!?
They really are the best of friends. It's so funny to watch them play together and keep each other young!
Doggy lifeguards watching over Lake Erie!
They looked thrilled right? Sadie the elf and TJ the reindeer: Christmas 2007
Now that Dominic's birthday weekend is over we have Thanksgiving and Christmas to look forward to. Dominic is growing so fast and has transformed from a little baby to a walking, babbling little boy nearly over night. He prefers to walk than be held and would rather feed himself than have us spoon feed him. I am really looking forward to his reaction to Christmas this year. Next year Christmas should be even better but this year it will be cool to have him walk, open his presents, and watch him play with his new toys. I know Brooke has already thanked everyone for their generosity at Dominic's birthday party but I would also like to thank everyone who could come or sent a gift.
The Buckeyes are Rose Bowl bound and have captured at least a share of their 5th straight Big Ten title with their win over Iowa last Saturday. It's pretty exciting but to be honest the celebration has to wait until after the game against the Team Up North this Saturday. We're probably favored big time but it's a rivalry game and you can't under estimate the underdog in a game like this. M$#%&#&N makes me so sick I don't even like typing the name let alone say it unless it's followed by or beginning with an expletive. Since the Big Ten title is locked up the Buckeyes have one less thing to motivate them this weekend but that shouldn't matter because it's a rivalry game. 
Browns
Here's my Browns update for the week. THEY SUCK and Mangini needs to go. Quinn didn't do anything impressive on Monday night to make me hopeful he is the QB for the job. Quinn rarely throws down field which is either because he doesn't have time, thinks the receivers are covered, or missed a read. He was clearly not in sync with his receivers which can be attributed to his lack of practice with the 1st team having to split reps with DA. Even though Quinn doesn't turn the ball over as often as DA the lack of first downs and 3 and out with Quinn is almost as bad. Quinn has better football pedigree than DA and needs a chance to prove himself. This weekends game against the Lions will tell a lot. Detroit stinks just as bad as we do so if he can't produce against a sub par team then Quinn may not be the QB of the future for the Browns.
Look who is in the big boy car seat now!
We went to an indoor playground for Dominic's birthday-he loved running around and pointing at everything!
Dominic's Birthday cupcake-he looooved it!
The clubhouse, before the party started.
The Cupcake Bar. Here you could decorate your own cupcake (no cake cutting for me!) with chocolate or vanilla frosting-then top it with sprinkles, chocolate chips and gummy bears! This was surprisingly not too messy-and fun!
I was so excited to find a frame made for 13 photos-I displayed all of the monthly bear pictures on the gift table and will hang this in Dom's nursery
Goodie bags for all the kids! And there were a LOT of kids!
Another view of the room all set up.
For centerpieces we wrapped boxes in gift wrap and attached the balloons to the weight inside the box. We also made chocolate covered pretzels and sprinkled the table with Birthday Boy mints
Grandpa Daly & Dominic
We had planned to show a slideshow on the television, but ran into a couple bumps. We used my laptop to play the slideshow as guests filled up their plates!
I was so grateful to see so many loved ones! Maggie came up from Columbus! She's expecting her first in June! Here's Becky, Maggie & I.
Grandma & Dominic
The gift table with all the generous gifts!
Dominic's #1 cake. I decorated it--he stuck his finger in it very early into the party
Birthday banner
Dominic was so cute while everyone serenaded him with "Happy Birthday to you".
This is where I questioned my choice of blue frosting!
Next up-opening presents! Yay!
Cute overalls made by Dominic's Godmother & Aunt Anna-it has little footballs and helmets on it
The matching friend Anna made--We call him Buddy, How cute is this!! He's also sitting in the chair made for him from his Grandma & Grandpa Grasso-it matches our living room furniture!
The gift from Dominic's Godfather & Uncle, Brett...notice anything familiar about the baby on the box! LOL My brother is so funny!
Checking out his new toys with Daddy
We used our Superyard as a safe play area for the children.
Can you believe that the big kid you see in the above pictures..looked like this a year ago!!??
